EP 60: How I Teach My Children Responsibility

Early in Audrey's parenting, she realized how difficult it can be to teach children responsibility, especially in today’s “entitlement” environment. It can seem like everyone has their hand out and is focused on what’s in it for them. How, she wondered, can moms raise conscientious, responsible adults in a positive, empowering way? Then she ran across a phrase in Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - responsibility is actually two words: response and ability! With this new insight, Audrey was able to fashion and practice a new way of teaching responsibility to her children that has born good fruits. Understanding what responsibility is and how it is attached to privileges has made a huge difference, not only in her ability to manage her children and home, but it has enabled her children to take ownership of themselves and their lives and begin pursuing their own God-given missions with excitement. The simple process she lays out in this podcast will empower you to do the same for yourself and your children! Listener's Guide: Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast.  1:21    Definition of responsibility 4:40    Definition of privilege 5:50    Structure and purpose of the family meeting 8:27    Explanation of the diagram 15:35   How taking responsibility allows children to begin shaping their lives 19:55   Keep the energy of your family meeting positive 22:15   The end goal for your family meeting 24:10   Consequences 29:00   A new privilege can become a new responsibility 33:54   The principle 34:23   A few warnings 37:56   Who has authority Quotes from this episode: "Young people innately desire to know what the principles are. They are yearning for the teacher who can unveil them, who invites their examination."~Neil Flinders "As we get older we are capable of more and it's our responsibility to do the things we're capable of. If we're capable of doing something, that becomes our new responsibility." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher "As our children grow, with every new age comes new abilities, but these can be challenging. We all have to grow in our capacity. Attaching a privilege to increase motivation can be very, very helpful." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher "The level at which people are truly responsible for what they are capable of doing is the greatest gauge of life's satisfaction, growth, and success." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher "As teenagers strain relationships with adults to test the limits of their freedom, they rebel against what they interpret as injustice or hypocrisy." ~Neil Flinders Books from this episode: